South Carolina’s first 2017 commit getting plenty of attention from rival schools

Will Register was the first commitment to hop on board with South Carolina’s 2017 class. Despite being committed to the Gamecocks for almost a year, several schools are still calling.

“Georgia is still talking to me a lot — coach Shane Beamer,” Register said. “LSU’s tight ends coach, Steve Ensminger … I’ve been talking to him a lot. The tight end coach at Florida (Greg Nord) has been talking to me. And, of course, coach Jay Harbaugh at Michigan is still talking to me.”

The three-star tight end from Chapin, S.C. is listening.

“(I’m) very interested in what they have to say,” Register said. “In the future, I want to become a coach and get into coaching, so relationships with those coaches who will probably be head coaches by the time I enter that field, I really want to establish good relationships with them right now, because you never know where people might end up.”

To that end, Register remains firm with his decision.

“I’m 100 percent committed to the University of South Carolina … my uncle lives down in Florida, so I might take a visit to Florida just to make his day, but there won’t another school that I’m highly considering,” he said. “I’m 100 percent committed to South Carolina.”

Michigan and Tennessee offered in the fall. Clemson offered just days before Register committed last June.

“It’s been a lot of fun just getting to really feel like part of the family, since I have been committed for so long. It already feels like I’m a part of the program,” he said. “With the coaching change, it did take a few weeks to feel that vibe again, but I’d say the new coaches are even more friendly and welcoming than the previous ones.

“As far as being committed, it’s great to have the opportunity to help with recruiting, meeting new guys, new players (and) being able to talk with Jake Bentley and Brandon McIlwain … it’s just fun to be around the atmosphere.”

Register is the highest-rated high school prospect in South Carolina’s eight-man class. Five of the eight, including offensive lineman Dennis Daley, who attends Georgia Military College, are from the state of South Carolina.

Because of his status in the Gamecocks’ class, Register has also helped out as a recruiter.

“It’s really cool to be able to play against some guys that we’re highly recruiting, such as Shi Smith over at Union County,” Register said. “Playing against him last year in the playoffs, third round, it’s just really cool to be able to play against him, but then also hope to be future teammates with him as well.”

Wren quarterback Jay Urich, who’s announcing his decision on Friday, has also been targeted.